Fair Trade Tomato Aprons!

It's the perfect summer product -- fair trade aprons great for southern chefs and grill experts alike. And if you live in Nashville, these aprons are the perfect accessory for this year's Tomato Art Fest.

The aprons are handmade at a fair trade cooperative in Ghana. They feature a batik-print design, a front pocket, and recycled flour sack lining.

We're taking pre-orders for the aprons now so we can deliver them the week before the Tomato Art Fest. To pre-order or see additional pictures, visit http://urlzen.com/l97.

CLEARANCE SALE

The time is here, ghia fans! We've put all of our locally made items on clearance. You can find great deals on Thistle Farms lotion, girls' and guys' shirts, and hand-crocheted items. We've even included a few fair trade items in there for good measure.

Shop the Sale!

World Day Against Child Labor

Today has been designated as World Day Against Child Labor.

Millions of children across the world work long hours in exploitative conditions. The plight of child laborers includes children in a multitude of situations, from those who work in the fields for their families to child soldiers and slaves. The World Day Against Child Labor is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made in this area while seeking more effective solutions, including better education and economic opportunities in the countries while child labor has a stronghold.

Take a moment today to find your role in the fight against child labor, whether that means supporting companies who take a stand against unfair labor practices, praying for the children trapped in these conditions, or spreading the word about this important issue.

More on the 2009 World Day Against Child Labor:
U.S. Department of State
International Labour Organization
UNICEF

Playing Fair: A 2009 Commitment

For the past two years, ghia has been proud to provide customers with the best of socially responsible shopping. We've chosen products that we think make the world a better place, whether they are organic, handmade, or fair trade.

In 2009, we've decided to renew our commitment to fair trade products. Throughout this year, you'll see us transition exclusively to products that are fair trade. We're excited to begin a new level of support for organizations that pay their workers a fair wage and contribute to producer communities rather than exploit them.

We still love our local producers, and there are many wonderful outlets for finding handmade products, including Etsy and local farmers' markets. Although these products will no longer be carried at ghia, we hope you will continue to support your local artisans!

As we make this transition, all of our products which AREN'T fair trade certified are going on sale! Stayed tuned to the blog and newsletter for more info about our clearance event.

Hockey Venue Celebrates Earth Hour

Hockey blogger Rachel, from What the Puck, points out that the Nashville Predators and their venue, the Sommet Center, are participating in this year's Earth Hour:

A couple of weeks ago, the Front Office announced that the start time for the March 28th game against the Los Angeles Kings had been moved up from 7:00pm to 5:00pm CST. I didn't really think much about it at first because we have often done that in the past for various reasons...However, after I thought about it further, it occurred to me that Saturday, March 28th held more significance than just another game day on the schedule.

A glance at NashvillePredators.com reveals that the time change is indeed due to Earth Hour festivities.

Rachel points out that this is not the only stride the Preds have made in the environmentally-friendly department -- this year the team also partnered with Smurfit-Stone to place recycling stations throughout the arena. Additionally, she reports that cloth grocery bags will be distributed to all fans in attendance at the March 28 game.

It looks like the Predators organization is one of many teams actively participating in the NHL's Green Plan. Kudos to the team and the league for their efforts!

Ready for Earth Hour?

Have you signed up for Earth Hour this year? It's just around the corner - March 28.

Sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is a symbolic movement to express concern about global climate change and a commitment to finding solutions. On March 28, 2009, at 8:30pm local time, homes and businesses will turn off all non-essential lights for one hour.

Whatever your stance on climate change, I think Earth Hour is a terrific opportunity for thoughtful, conscious living. It's a great time to look at your energy usage and find ways to cut back, and to reduce distractions such as TV and the internet, even if just for a moment.

Last year, my husband and I used Earth Hour as family time, just the two of us. This year, I hope to continue that tradition with our little boy, who will be just a few days old.

Nashville is a key city for this year, and residents in my area are invited to watch our historic downtown area go dark. Check out EarthHourUS.org to find events in your area.

Just when you thought IKEA had maxed out their hip factor...

Inhabitat is reporting that IKEA's solar lighting products are about to hit the market, making this eco-friendly lighting method accessible and affordable. Rechargeable (but not solar-powered) table-top lamps are being introduced as well.

I personally am drooling over the paper lantern set and wondering if I can set them up in my house near a window.

To see the collection, visit IKEA.com.

Image courtesy of IKEA.com.